Feb 18, 2015

Students looking to enter the workforce quickly with in-demand skills will have a new option, thanks to the Accelerate TEXAS grant awarded to College of the Mainland.

The grant allows students lacking a GED or high school diploma or with limited English skills to start job training now.  Students may earn business; welding; medical coding; certified nurse assistant; machinist; or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning certificates while working toward their GED certificate.

The program offers scholarships covering tuition, books and fees for students who qualify. It will continue the success of the previous Accelerate TEXAS grant that the college received to allow students to earn their GED certificate and welding; medical coding; certified nurse assistant; or heating, ventilation and air-conditioning certificate.
 
“We can start people in their vocational pathway before they finish their GED,” said COM Director of Adult Education Josh Hayes. “Not only are we extending the number of slots in our Accelerate Texas grant program, we’re leading two other colleges in a program that’s been successful for us.”
 
COM is the lead administrator of the grant for Lee College and Brazosport College.
 
The grant will allow the college to add up to 100 students to its current 200 slots.

Accelerate TEXAS programs help underprepared adults to complete high-demand career training programs while they are enrolled in classes that improve their reading and math skills. Students may work toward a GED while they are training or be learning English as a second language.

“I needed a career. I’d worked at a local feed store and it was a basic minimum wage. Without (the Adult Education Program) I’d probably still be there,” said Daviana Tucker, who graduated with her GED last fall and is now pursing a welding certificate. “(Career Navigator) Roger Mora has taken me step by step.”

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board funds Accelerate TEXAS and provides services at state community colleges in partnership with federally-supported adult education and literacy programs funded by the Texas Workforce Commission.  

For more information on the COM Adult Education Program, visit www.com.edu/adulted.